Alice Martin (Head of Research, Work Foundation at Lancaster University) responds to comments by Lord Wolfson (Chief Executive, Next) on the "dramatic fall" in the number of entry-level job opportunities. She said:

“Young people are entering one of the toughest labour markets in years, facing intense competition for a shrinking number of entry-level jobs. Retail and other sectors are changing rapidly, with more online sales and fewer staff needed on the shop floor. That has contributed to a sharp fall in vacancies, leaving many young people facing repeated rejection as they try to enter work.

“But a difficult labour market is no excuse for undermining pay or job security. The ban on exploitative zero-hour contracts is long overdue. One in five workers in the UK is in severely insecure work, without predictable pay or basic protections. These reforms have not yet come into force, so blaming current hiring trends on them is misplaced.

“Young people are especially exposed to low-paid and insecure work, which only strengthens the case for improving job quality and ensuring work provides both security and stability.”